The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-08-06
NOT AN HEIRESS
The Story of Miss Dickson'e
Legacy.

'1eS, Salu MISS DICKSON; II tnlnk
now that l can afford to see a little of
the world. I've always been tucked
down in a cheap clearinghouse, doing
embroidery or the sly for the fancy
stores and keeping up a great appear
ance on a very slim foundation, and
I'm tired Of this sort of business. Now
can expand into a LADY,"
Old Aunt Zeruiah Dodd, down in
New Jersey, had been as long in dying
as if she were a blood relation to the
Wandering Jew; but the unavoidable
moment had come at last, and she had
paid Natures debt unwillingly enough,
and Miss Dickson was to be her heiress.
"There must be a hundred thousand
dollars at least" said Miss Dickson.
''Good land of liberty! and up to this
time I've been counting my pennies
and trying to make both ends meet, to
keep out of the poor-house. 1t don't
seem possible! What a world this isv'
Mary Ann Dickson, usually called
rAunt Polly" looked at herself in the
glass. She wa not q beauty, and it
was very plain that she never could be
one; but there were possibilities that
she might be what was called "stylish,"
and that was the next best thing.
j. Just about this time her niece, Mary
Ann, came up from the old farm and.
as was natural enough, proceeded
straight to Aunt Polly's clearinghouse
for a refuge.
Aunt Polly regarded her rather sour.
ly.
"What brings you here, childP And
now, of all times in the worldP" she
said.
"G~randfather isdead," Explained the
child, timidly, land the old house is
sold, and / had nowhere else to go; and
the neighbors said there would be lots
of ways for a strong girl like me to
earn her living in New York"
"The neighbors, indeedv' sputtered
Miss Dickson. II wish the neighbors
would mind their own business. What
on earth am l to do with a great girl
like you?'
Little Mary Ann burst into tears.
"Oh, I'm sorry I came!' said she.
"l'm sorry l came! But, you know,
you have spent three m at Apple
Farm, and you always said you would
be glad to see me when l came to the
CITY,"
Miss Dickson made a grimace.
"Whst can't be cured must be en-
durcd." said she. "And I suppose
you'll have to stay. But, mind, child,
no Aunt Polly-ing' me. l am Miss
Dickson now-and you are my maid. ;,
"Your maid, Aunt mean, Miss
Dickson"
Yes" nodded Miss Dickson. "You
expect to have to work for a living,
don't your"
"Oh, yes but"
''There are no butts" imperiously in.
terposed Miss Dickson. 'Do you sup
pose ! can support you in idlenessP
wonder at the impudence Of SOM
folks"
i an willing to work." sobbed little
Mary Ann.
"Of course l shall not pay you any
wages. Nobody in their senses woult
expect that, when you're Just out Of tn
backwoods, and will have to be laugh
every thing. II there 10 any question
Of money. it 10 I that ought to be paid
! think. But you'll have your boar
and cl%othes-thcre will be Away
enough of my old gowns to keep 20,
looking respectable. And, a. I'm 60
ing to travel, you will see the world
With nc expense to yourself"
ITO travelP" repeated the girl.
Miss Dickson nodded.
I'm going TO inherit . little money
said she, vaguely-Q Ut would not do. t
tell Mary Ann how much, lest, In he
ignoranse Of the world, the child shoul'